After I left YWS for about two years, I continued writing this story and finished it. So I will be posting the parts gradually. I am open for all your criticisms. I have a feeling that I might write a sequel to this story too. But before I start on it, I want to make sure this one is edited completely.
5. Unveiling Words
A girl slept on her stomach: her head resting on the side with a tired expression, hands swung around the tiny pillow and ebony braid stretched half the width of the bed. Three thin blankets took shape of her medium sized, almost a fully-grown feminine figure. By her side, Brian felt slightly guilty of staring for too long. He couldn’t decide whether to go out before she woke up so as not to scare her, or to stay there so that he could glance at her charming eyes earlier than she hid them with her shawl. His gaze fell on that thing again, that barrier. It lay on the floor among the other dirty clothes. Brian exited with a desperate plan on his mind. This was the day to take all chances: no one would bother him because the whole supply base was busy cleaning up.
Unlike himself, Brian nervously paced back and forth by her door with a dictionary and already half-full notebook in hands. At the sound of her sensuous voice, he came in. She abruptly stopped stretching out and pulled the blanket up to her chin.
“Don’t be afraid. I really didn’t want to disturb you, but I need to talk to you and time is already running out.” His phrase, although amazed Sabihah with his Arabic, caused the indigo pupils to dilate wider.
“What time is it?” she panicked “I have to pray while it’s not too late.”
“Close to eleven.” She embraced her face with slender hands.
“Could you come out and let me dress?” her tone now serious and low.
“Relax.” Brian gestured downwards with his hands. ”Now, don’t kill me for this, but” he began with English,”Your clothes are in the laundry. You’ll have to wait for them. Please, let’s talk.” Seeing no escape, she nodded.
“In six days you will have to leave the base.”
“I’ve expected that.” She coldly acknowledged, but before he continued she asked expecting the worst, swallowing a knot in her throat. “Will I be put into a prison camp?” confused at her words, Brian frowned handing her a notepad.
She drew a jail cell. ”Never,” he shook his head.
“Then where will I go?”
“Do you remember or know any of your relatives' names?”
“No,” she answered for the hundredth time.
“What about friends?”
“Yes, I know one friend who I can live with.”
“That’s good, now just write their address.” He felt like an automate saying these words. Brian already started missing her, like some part of her left, a part that was confident to emerge back into that world she was so used to. His sad expression caught Sabihah’s eye.
“Where’s Anna by the way? Did something happen?”
“No, she’s just busy.”
“I know little English.” She talked for the first time not in Arabic,"I cannot tell all to you. I want to. You are my hope.” Her honesty was mixed with courtesy. The courtesy part was the one he hated, how it made her feel below all men and stopped from being friendly with Anna. Yet he accepted it, not showing his disgust because it was part of the culture, he couldn’t blame her.
“A note from me to you. Anna can help.” Sabihah gave him an unfolded piece of paper filled with flowing Arabic handwriting.
“Thank you.” He whispered under his breath you are beautiful. “I will return.” She sat still confused at his thank you when he entered with carefully folded fresh clothes. Now even more amazed, she opened her mouth to pile him with words he barely comprehended.
“You didn’t have to do this. Why do you trouble yourself so, and just for me? Next time, please don’t do this. I am very grateful, but it’s best if you leave those things to me, it’s not a man’s job…”
Brian suddenly silenced Sabihah with a passionate yet gentle kiss. In that second he released his feelings. He couldn’t take it anymore. At least he, who loved her, had the right to give her more then she thought she deserved. He pulled away quickly; afraid Sabihah won’t ever forgive him if he embraced her for too long or too tight. She understood now why he treated her that way, breathing hard from such a rush of passion, which was almost impossible to stop. Gaining control, she asked him to come out while she dressed. He stood by, not believing what he did and still unable to leave. To his delight the door behind him opened and she whispered, “Come in”.
Still afraid of her rejection, he stood in front of her like a child: his feelings and intentions exposed. She realized all that, and that in six days or even much less they won’t see each other. Her head still feeling high, she stepped closer like in a dream. The girl lifted the purple fabric from her face: their longing and slightly moist eyes met. This time, Sabihah continued the kiss: their lips gasping for each other’s touch. Their hands entwined in the palms then hers moved to his strong shoulders. His hands gently stroked Sabihah’s waist and back through the burqa: sending a sweet sensation to her body. Although they embraced clumsily because of Sabihah’s shortness, it was better than words, a best way to share a strong feeling. Sabihah and Brian forgot about everything in the world, until…a woman even shorter than Sabihah opened the door. They distanced too late for Anna not to see their “love making”.
“So that’s where you’ve been. I’ve been looking for you. General Kendrick Carnell needs to talk with you.” Anna stood with her hands on the hips, as if not surprised by the situation. She had that squeamish look of a spy, who’s prey were the ‘guilty’. Brian did not like her attitude.
“Remember who you’re talking to. Should I remind you of my position? And don’t you dare treat her badly: respect her as an equal human being. Oh and before you make any assumptions or report on me, I have a task for you. Please translate this note.”
“I am only the messenger here, but I am also not blind. You don’t have to follow any one's orders; the general might find you himself anyways.”
“Now go to your post and accomplish the task, and don’t come near Sabihah. She needs some time alone." The startled girl sat on the farthest edge of the mattress: completely clothed in her only defense. Her fingers shook. She prepared herself mentally for the most terrible. At the exit of the ‘proud’ interpreter, the lieutenant tried slightly petting her back, when she wildly resisted, in turn screaming out “Why? Why? Why did we have to do it?!” He wrote to her on his notepad “Do not regret it.” Having translated it, she weakly smiled.
) but I didn't really need to.